Not if the columns are separated by variable number of spaces. By default, the delimiter is 1 tab. You can change it to 1 space, but not more and not a variable

Not if the columns are separated by variable number of spaces. By default, the delimiter is 1 tab. You can change it to 1 space, but not more and not a variable number. In my experience, most column based output uses variable number of spaces for alignment purposes. Tabs can work for alignment, but they break when you need more than 8 spaces for alignment.